Association for Research on Mothering
Hi,
Just to let you know that the ARM conference was on yesterday. There weren’t a lot of participants, generally about ten to fifteen in each session, though the organisers worked those of who were there, hard. The sessions started sharp on 9am and went through until after 6. We had to be out of the building by 6.30 and were finishing off our conversations at 6.28. As I said there weren’t a lot of people but each one who was there had some past accomplishments in the area of mothering research. It was a great day and I met some wonderful women. The arts were well represented – photography, film, art, literature, drama, and activism. If the event is anything to go by we are going to be treated to a flourishing of artistic representations on the experience and institution of mothering, motherhood; something I’ll be looking forward to and hopefully contributing to. My presentation went down well and there was some interesting discussion and reflections for me to think about on the way back home. I think of a terrific day the most memorable was the last session that was with only about six participants but the two presenters, inspirational women (who are probably both grandmothers) treated us to three short plays between them. One of the plays was based on the true story, and started with a woman looking from afar onto her two daughters who were shopping in Wallmart. She couldn’t approach them because there was a court order against her making any contact. The order was based on a Judges decision that her claims – that her husband was molesting the girls – were misguided. And inspite of her repeated attempts to prove her case the system seemed to conspire against both her and her girls. The presenter knew the woman. She knew a lot about the case, and she was in the course drawing on any and every possible contact (including lawyers and judges) to overcome a system that had gone terribly wrong. This unfortunately, isn’t uncommon. The presenter Paula Caplan was now writing a short play to bring more attention to the events. Like I said, this is a session that I won’t forget. I know the same thing happens in Australia – maybe I could link-up a woman I know in Australia working on similar cases with Paula?!
Anyhow, enough for now, take care and love, Joannie
Tags: Travel
canberrians
Glad the conference was a big success Joan – will be interested in hearing about the comments on your presentation – what wonderful experiences you are having. Would have loved to have been at the burlesque perormance. The waxworks sounded fun Barry – some of the same people are in the wax museum in Hong Kong and London. Yes – sad you are moving on soon- but you have certainly made the most of your time there – and you had a great “taste” of the wide range of offerings. Looking forward to hearing more about Harlem. Sam has sent Joey a message on hotmail. Sam loved the postcard. Keep enjoying every minute. You’ll be coming back to lots of discussions on the budget (generally favourable) – lots of Tuggeranong residents protesting against the planned actew power plant for Tuggeranong – and lots of sales! Is there much coverage of the disasters in China and Burma on TV as there is here?
Love fom Jen and Sam